PD: Parents charged due to deplorable home

Family of 6 lived in squalor as mom and dad allegedly used, sold drugs

The Stafford PBA Local 297 Civic Association is collecting gift cards for the Schwester family children, who are in need of clothing and food.
Cards can be dropped off at police headquarters at 260 East Bay Ave., or mailed to: Stafford PBA Local 297, P.O. Box 746, Manahawkin, NJ, 08050.

A Stafford Township husband and wife are facing child endangerment charges after police found their family living in squalid conditions, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officers were first called to the home Feb. 12 to check on a 1-year-old daughter.

The toddler was found safe in the basement, but officers allegedly found evidence of drug use, garbage and dirty clothes around the house, police said.

The parents were allegedly using and selling heroin in front of their other three children, ages 14, 11, and 8, according to authorities.

The children were subsequently placed in foster care.

Ian Schwester, 41, and Christina Bicki, 36, are charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, said prosecutor’s office spokesman Al Della Fave.

Schwester and Bicki were held on $100,000 bail each at the Ocean County jail. Police said a grandfather also lived in the house but it is unclear if he was charged.